Method of and means for radiocommunication



April12,1927. 1,624,73-

A. E. PAIGE METHOD OF AI JD MEANS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION Filed April 19. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZJunrutur:

1,624,673 Aprll 1927' i A. E. PAIGE v METHOD 0? AND MEANS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION Filed April 19. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Z 5 1 :5 Hal/f. T

' Ham Patented Apr. 12,1927.

airs s ar sar ARTHUR EQ PAIGE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF AN D MEANS FOR RADIOCGHMTINICATION.

Application filed April 19, 1922. Serial No. 555,556.

My improvements are applicable to radio apparatus for reception or transmission, or both, of either telegraphic or telephonic co'1nmunications,or both.

Radio transmission is effected by disturbing the electrostatic fieldincluding the earth and-its atmosphere. Radio reception iseffected by causing suitable apparatusto par ticipate insuch disturbances. It is under stood'that the earth and its atmosphere function as the opposed plates of a condenser. Radio transmission apparatus is usually de signed to effect the desired disturbance ofv such electrostatic field by transmission of electric'energy to the atmosphere by way of an antenna, and "to cause the radio reception apparatus toparticipate in such dis.- turbance by way of an antenna, and an antenna-or-other form of aerial elementhas been heretofore considered essential for both transmission and reception of radio commu'.

nications. I find that the efiiciency of both transmission and reception by way of an- Y tennze is dependent upon the capacitance, and in inverse relation to "the electrical resistance, of the antenna. Therefore, the cfiiciency of both transmission and reception of radio communications is dependent upon utilization of the proper capacitance of the apparatus with the minimum loss in resistance." However,*1 have found that the principal factor in both transmission and recep- -tion-of radio communications is. the connection to the earth, and that, if the other apa; paratus elements are suitably proportioned, no antenna is necessary. That is to say; the

most eflicient radio transmission .or recept-ion in any locality is attainablewhen the best possible ground connection is there 40 made, and the other elements of the apparatus so proportioned as to utilize the maxi mum effect of such ground connection. It

, isthe ordinary practice to ground radio ap paratus by connection with water supply or .45 drainage pipes, where such pipes are available, or wires or other suitable electric conductors, buried in the earth, Where such pipe connections are not available. .Howjevcr, I find that Where there is a municipal 59 electric supply circuit in the locality of the radio apparatus, the efficiency of both transmission and reception of such apparatus may be enhanced by grounding such apparatus inproper connectionwith such circuit,

and, under proper conditions, such a ground connection may be substituted for the ordinary buried pipe or wire connections heretofore considered essential for radio apparatus.

' Moreover, I find that the capacity of such apparatus for -sharp tuning, i. e., accurate adjustment to transmit or receive Hertzian waves of a selected character, is dependent upon means for precisely adjusting the capacitance of such apparatus.- It is usual to 'inelude in such apparatus a variable condenser including two plates, or sets of plates, of the same sha e, so mounted thatthey are relatively mova le,- for instance, the most common type of such condenser includes twosets' of semicircular plates, one set carried by a shaft in coaxial relation with the other set;and with air spaces between the adjoining plates. Variation of the capacitance of such; a condenser is effected-by turning the shaft, with the'result that such turning movement displaces one set of plates with respect to 'the other throughout a double sectoral area, the radial dimension of which i s-equal to the diameter of the plates carried by the shaft. Another "ordinary typeof condenser includes two sets of-rectangular plates, which are relatively movable in a direction in which they are maintained parallel with *each other. The effect of any such movement is to displace one set of plates with respect to the other throughout an area which is coextensive with either the full width or full lengtlr'of the plates. Moreover, all such ordinary variable condensers are so constructed and arranged that variation in the capacitance thereof is effected without in factchanging the effective area of any of the plates involved in such relative movement, and

solely by changing the electrostatic coupling of one set of plates with respect to the other. Consequently, it is practically impossible to "effect any adjustment of such condensers whichlis fine enough, i; e., which effects a sufficiently small relative displacement of the plates. Therefore, an objectand effect of my present invention is to provide an element having capacitance which is adjustable to the finest degree required for selective tuning of radio apparatus and, as hereinafter described, sucha condenser element includes a pair or pairs of relatively movable plates of such' respectively different shape that relative movement thereof may be efl'ected withthe minimum amount of variation in the capacitance thereof. Such relatively movable plates may be oppositely polarized, as in the ordinary condenser aforesaid, by the inclusion of air or other dielectric'between them, or, such a pair of plates may be in electrical contact with eachother and form in fact a single plate as tar as capacitance thereof is concerned; so that by efi'ecting relative sliding movement of such electrically contacting plates, the intrinsic capacitance thereof may be varied 111 correspondence with variation in the area 0t said plate expose-d.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction, arrangement and procedure hereinafter more definitely spec1- fied.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a wiring diagram showing an embodiment of my invention in a simple radio telegraph transmitting,

telegraphie or telephonic communications,

and including electron tubes adapted for detection and amplification of radio communications, and including a three wire municipal supply circuitas a ground connection. Fig. IV is a wiring diagram of an embodiment of my invention, of the same general character as that shown in Fig. III; 5

but with a single electron tube serving for both detection and amplification of the signals received, and including an ordinary two wire municipal supply circuit as a ground connection. Fig. V is a wiring diagram of a ground connection, in accordance with my invention, with which any form of radio.

apparatus may be provided. Figs. VI, VII and VIII show difl'erent forms of my improved condenser; the latter having d rectional properties.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Fig. I;' the municipal supply circuit includes the three wires 1, 2 and 3, the wire 1 being neutral, and serving as the ground connection for the radiotransmitting apparatus shown in said figure; said wires 2 and 3 being referably connected with said neutral'wire t rough the respective variable condensers 5 and 6.- Said wire 1 is connected, through the switch key 7 with the induction coil 8 which is preferably con nected through the variable condenser 9 with the induction coil 10; said coils 8 and 10 through the switch key 21, whereby said plate electrode is positively energized and said filament electrode negatively energized.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. I; any one of the switch keys 7, 11 or 21 may be manipulated to transmit signals by interruption of the flow of energy in the circuit. However, the switch key 23 i may be variably connected with said coil' 8 by the conductors 24 and 25 and be manipulated to transmit signals, without interruption of the flow of energy in the circuit, and merely by modification of the effective inductance of said coil 8 interposed between said generator 15 and the ground connection 1. In other words; the apparatus indicated in Fig. I may be used to transmit radiant energyeither in continuous waves or damped oscillations.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. II; the municipal supply circuit including'the wires 1, 2 and 3, is provided with the variable condensers 5 and 6, as above described, so as to be utilized as the ground connection for the radio transmitting apparatus shown in said figure. Said wire 1 is variably connected through the conductor 27 with the induction coil 28 and through the condenser 29 and conductor 30 to the positive pole of the transmitting generator 31 which has its negative'pole connected by the conductor 33, through the switch key 34, induction coil 35 and resistance coil 36, with said ground connection 27 and 1. The positive ole of said generator 31 is connected to tiie plate electrode 38 in the electron tube 39, and the negative pole of said generator 31 is connected to both the filament electrode 41 and the grid elec trode 42 in said tube 39. v

The construction and arrangement shown in Fig. II is such that the frequency of the oscillatory circuit supplied by said generator 31 may be altered by varying either or both said condenser 29 and the inductance 28 included between the filament electrode 41 and the grid electrode 42; said filament electrode 41 being connectedwith the inductance coil 28 through the sliding contact 45 which may be moved to adjust the grid plate coupling. Incidentally, said condenser 29 prevents the circuit including the plate electrode 38 from beins. short-circuited through said coils 28 and 35. v

Referring to the form of my invention lli shown in Fig. III; themunicipal supply circuit including the wires 1, 2 and 3, is provided with the condensers 5 and 6, and con nected through the conductor 47 and variable condenser 48 with the radio transmission apparatus shown in said figure. Said condenser 48 is variably connected with the induction coil49. Said coil 49 is variably connected, by the conductor 50, with the generator 51 which has its positive pole connected with the primary transformer coil 53, which is variably connected, by the conductor 54, with the regenerating coil 55, which is variably connected, by the conductor 56, with the plate electrode 57 in the electron tube 58. to thus positively energize said electrode 57. The filament electrode in said tube 58 is negatively energized by said generator 51 but its negative charge from that generator may be modified by the inclusion of said electrode 60 in circuit with the auxiliary generator 1 through the variable rheostat 62. The" grid electrode 63, in said electron tube 58, is connected with said generator 51, through the conductor 64, condenser 65, and the grid leak resistance, 66, in circuit-with said coil 49 and conductor 50. The variable condenser 68 is connected in parallel relation with said primary transformer coil ,53; and said condenser and the induction coils aforesaid may be adjusted to selectively tune the receiving circuits shown in Fig. III. Said regenerating coil 55 being in inductively coupled relation with said. coil 49, serves to amplify the oscillations in said receiving circuit. Moreover, said coils 49 and 55 may be inductively coupled by the variable condenser 70, or conductively coupled by the switch 71. i

Said electron tube 58 is thus utilized for detection of the signals received by said apparatus which are incidentally amplified by the action of the circuits including said generator 51. However, said signals may be further amplified by the inclusion of the electron tube 74, with its respective elec-. trodes in parallel relation with the electrodes in said tube 58. This is to say; the plate electrode in said tube 74 is connected with the positive side of said generator 51, through the conductor 76 and variable condenser 77; and the filament electrode 7 8, insaid tube 74, is connected with the negative side of said generator 51, through the conductor 79. The grid electrode 81 in said tube 74 is also connected with the negative side of said generator 51, through the conductor 82 and the secondary transformer .coil 83 with which said conductor 82 is variably connected. Said coils 53 and 83 are, of course, inductively coupled so that the oscillations to which said tube 58 is subjected are imposed upon said tube 74, in amplified form. Said filament electrode 78, which is negatively charged by said generator 51, as above described. may have its charge modified by the auxiliary generator 85, which is connected therewith through the variable rheostat 86. Howey'er, both of said auxiliary generators 61 and 85 and their respective rhcostats 62 and86 may be omitted. Moreover, it is to be understood that it the municipal circuit is of the ordinary two wire form; the wire 3 and condenser 6 may be omitted. The telephones 88, which are in parallel relation with said variable condenser 77 may be used to re ceive the signals thus imposed upon and amplified in the apparatus shown in Fig. III.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Fig. IV; the municipal circuit is of the two-wire form above contcn'mlated and including the wires 1 and 2 which are connected by the variable condenser 5. Said wire 1 serves as the ground connection for the radio apparatus shown in said figure, with which it is connected through the conductor 90 and variable condenser 91 leading to the induction coil .92. Said coil 92 is variably connected through the conductor 9%, variable condenser 95, and switch key 96, with the induction coil 97, which is in coupled relation with said induction coil 92 and with the induction coil 98 which is variably connected by the conductor 100, with the filament electrode'lOl in the electron tube 102. Said filament electrode 101 is also variably connected. through the conductor 103, with the induction coil 104, which is in inductively coupled relation with said coil 98 and connected, through the variable condenser 105, with the negative pole of the generator 106; so that said filament electrode 101 is negatively charged. Such charge of said electrode 101 may be modified by the auxiliary generator 108 which is connected to said electrode through the variable rheostat 109.

The plate electrode 110, in said electron tube 102, is connected. by thev conductor 111. with the positive side of said generator 106. The grid electrode 113, in said electron .tube 102 is connected with the negative side of said generator 106, through the variable condenser 115 and grid leak resistance 117, conductor '118. and said' coils 97, 98, conductors and 103, coil 104 and condenser 105. The variable condenser 120 is also connected in parallel relation with said coils 97 and 98 between said conduc tors 100 and 118. and said receiving circuit shown in Fig. IV may be selectively tuned by variation in either the capacitance of said condensers or the inductance of said coils, or both. The signals imposed upon said apparatus are both detected and amplified by the operation of said electron tube 102 and may be heard through the tional properties and telephones 122, which are in parallel relation with said condenser 105. It is to be understood that said auxiliary generator 108 and its variable rheostat 109 may be omitted and said filaments electrode 101 negatively energized solely by said generator 106. Moreover, said condenser 95 may be disconnected by opening said switch key 96, or may be omitted, if the other elements of the apparatus are properly proportioned to cooperate with said induction coil .92.

In the form of my invention indicated in Fig. V; a radio apparatus 123, of any suitable character, for transmission or reception, or both, is connected by the conduc tors 12a in parallel relation with the variable condenser 125 and through the respective variable condensers 126 with respective grounds, which may be of the'character above described, and without any antenna. However, I have exemplified such apparatus by inclusion of a single induction coil 12T in adjustably variable relation with said" condenser 125, electron tube 128 and genera tor 129. The switch key 130 may be variably connected with said coil 127, like the key 23 described with reference to Fig. I, to transmit signals by modification of continuous waves. The variable condenser 131 is bridged by the telephones 132 which may be used to receive signals, but may be shortcircuited by the switch 133.

The apparatus shown in Fig. V has directhe outline marked 123 may be a loose box orpanel. and said conductors flexible, so that said radio appa ratus 123 may be turned, in a horizontal plane, relatively to its ground connections which may remain stationary; so that maximum transmission or reception of radio communications may be attained by such adjustment, which adapts the apparatus shown in Fig. V to be used as a goniometer.

The coupling of the grid and plate circuits in Fig. V may be adjusted by means of the filament sliding contact 134, and the frequency of oscillations generated by said apparatus may be varied by means of the condenser 125. Moreover, any tendency to distortion of the directional characteristic of said apparatus by asymmetrically disposed counterbalanced and eliminated, or magnified. and the transmission or reception made unidirectional, by suitable adjustment of said condensers 126.

In Fig. VI I have shown a form of my improved condenser above contemplated, including a plate or plates 135, of rectangular form, and a plate or plates 136 of similar form except that the right-hand end 137 thereof extends obliquely, with reterence'to the adjacent end of the plate or plates 135, so that movementot said plate or plates 136, relatively to said plateor plates 135,

in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. -VI may vary the capacitance of the condenser thus formed to an extentwhich, as indicated by the dotted lines in said figure, is much less, per unit of such movement, than the variation effected by the ordinary condensers above described. Al though I have shown said plates 135 and 136 of difTerent dimensions so that they may be readily distinguished; it is to be understood that they may be of the same extreme width and length. However, a more gradual variation in the capacitance of such a condenser may be eli'ected if a series of plates 136 are of successively shorter length. That is to say; a stack of plates 136 may include a top plate of the dimensions shown in full. lines in Fig. VI with the next subjacent plate having its right-hand end terminating at the dash line 138, and so on, each successive plate 136 being shorter than the preceding plate so that movement of said plates in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. VI effects a more gradual variation in the capacitance of such a condenser than it all of the plates 136 are of the same length.

Fig. VII shows a condenser operating uponthe same general principle as that shown in Fig. V, but composed of plates susceptible of relative rotary movement. Such a condenser may include a plate or: plates 140 and a plate or plates 141; the latter being carried by the shaft 142, in coaxial relation with said plates 140. Said plates 141 have their right-hand edges 143 recessed, with respect to the radial edges 144 of said plates 140, so that movementot said plates 1 11 in the direction of the arrow marked thereon causes a very gradual variation in the capacitance of the condenser, as indicated by the dotted lines 145 and 146 I in Fig. VI.

In Fig. VII I have shown a form of my improved condenser including a plate or plates 148 of sectoral annular form and a plate or plates 149 of similar form but with the end 150 thereof extending obliquely with respect to the adjacent end of the element 149 so that movement of said plates 149 in thedirection of the arrow marked thereon, said plates, as indicated by the dottedlines 151 in Fig. VIII and a corresponding gradual change in the capacitance of the condenser, as above described with reference to Fig. VI. However. the annular form of the plates shown in Fig. VIII enhances the directional characteristic thereof. That is to say: when a condenser such as indicated in Fig. VIII is energized, it altords both an electrostatic and a magnetic field. and said fields are unsymmetrical with respect to the geometrical center of the apparatus; so that it may be turned to effect eft'ect-s variation in the relation of the maximum transmission or reception of who communications, i. e., disturbances in which those fields are involved.

It 'is to be understood that the systems of wiring which I have indicated in Figs. 1 to V inclusive, are merely typical of a multitude of hook ups in which my invention may be included, and the electron tubes which I have illustrated are merely typical of any suitable rectifying or amplifying elements which may be used for the same general purpose. Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction, arrangement or procedure herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein, without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

l claim:

1. The method of radio communication whichconsists in connecting the neutral wire of a three-wire electric supply system with the polarized wires of such system through respective adjustably variable condensers, and utilizin said system in ground connection with dirigible apparatus comprising an electric circuit of oscillatory character, hav

-ing directional capacity for such communication, by selectively tuning said oscillatory circuit to the frequency of radio communications imposed upon said system; and detel-mining the maximum directional effect of said apparatus by adjustably shifting the,

position thereof with respect to said ground connection.

2. The method of radio communication which consists in connecting the neutral wire of a three-wire electric supply system with the polarized wires of such system through respective adjustably variable condensers, and utilizing said system in ground connection with dirigible apparatus comprising an electric circuit of oscillatory character, having directional capacity for such communication, by selectively tuning said oscillatory circuit to the frequency of radio communications imposed upon said system; and dctcrmining the maximum directional effect of said apparatus by turning it with respect to said ground connection.

3. The method of radio communication which consists in capacitivcly coupling, a municipal electric supply circuit with a radio apparatus having oscillatory and directional properties; selectively tuning said circuit to the frequency of radio communica tions imposed upon said system; and adjusting the position of said apparatus relative to said system to attain the maximum efiiciency of such communications.

4:. The combination with a municipal electric supply system including but three wires, two of which are oppositely polarized and one of which is neutral; of apparatus adapted for ,adio communication and including ground electric circuit of oscillatory character having directional capacity for such communication; which apparatus is dirigible with respect to said three supply wires; and a ground connection for said apparatus; whereby the maximum directional effect of said apparatus may be determined by adjustably shifting the position thereo with respect to said ground connection.

5. The combination with a municipal electric supply system includin but three wires, two of which are oppositely polarized and one of which is neutral; of apparatus adapted for radio communication and including respective adjustably variable condensers connected with said polarized wires, and an electric circuit of oscillatory character having directional capacity for such communication; which apparatus is dirigible with respect to said three supply wires; and a connection for said apparatus; whereby the maximum'directional effect of said apparatus may be determined by turning it, in a horizontal plane, with respect to said ground connection.

6. The method of radio communication which consists in capacitivcly coupling a municipal electric supply circuit, comprising but three wires, two of which are oppositewith a radio apparatus comprising a circuit having oscillatory and directional properties; selectively tuning said circuit to the frequency of radio communications imposed upon said oscillatory circuit; and bodily shifting the position of said radio apparatus relatively to said municipal electric supply circuit ,to determine and attain the maximum efficiency of such communications.

7. The combination with an electric service system including a neutral live wire and carrying low frequency energy; of a ground connection; radio communication apparatus including an oscillatory circuit comprising a coil having directional properties, and means adjustable to tune said circuit to different frequency; and means connecting said oscillatory circuit with said ground connection and with said service system; including condenser means between said system and said radio apparatus, preventing the passage of said low frequency energy, but permitting the passage of high frequency 'adi0 communication; said coil being ar-, ranged for turning movement, in a horizontal plane, relatively to its connections with said service system and ground; whereby the position of maximum efiicien'cy of operation of said oscillatory circuit may be determined.

8. The combination with an electric service system carrying low frequency energy; of aground connection; radio communica- -ly polarized and one of which is neutral, 4

tion apparatus including an oscillatory cir-- latory circuit with said ground connection.

and with said service system; includin condenser means between said system and said radio apparatus preventing the passage of said low frequency energy, but permitting the assage of high frequency radio com mumcation; said coil being arranged for turning movement relative to said service system and "round; whereby the position of maximum efiiciency of o eration of said oscillatory circuit may be etermined and said system and apparatus be operated independently withoutinterruption or other interference of the operation of either by the operation of the other.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsyl-' of April, 1922.-

Vania, this eighteenth da E. PAIGE. 

